Daily Acts of Kindness

Susanne Norgard, Executive Director, writes in the Ukiah Daily Journal about people and organizations improving lives in our community.

If the true spirit of “giving back” is found in small, daily acts of human kindness, it is personified in the volunteers who visit nursing homes and share a little warmth and kindness with the residents.

I have the privilege to know a few of these volunteers. While they do not want recognition for themselves, they do want to let people know how satisfying it is to spend even just a little time visiting residents or helping out.

Ukiah Senior Center Executive Director, Lavonna Silveria, told me about the volunteers in the Center’s “Mendo C-Notes” singing group and the “Ditzy Line Dancers” who visit nursing homes. But she emphasized, singing and dancing is not a requirement. “The easiest way to help,” says Lavonna, “is just to go for a visit. I always have a blast. Maybe it’s because I know so many of the folks, but it warms my heart when I see the faces light up when I walk into the room. It makes their day and it makes my day.”

In Fort Bragg, Pat Tilley told me she has been volunteering at Sherwood Oaks Health Center for “as long I can remember.”

Susanne Norgard, Executive Director, writes in the Ukiah Daily Journal about people and organizations improving lives in our community.

If the true spirit of “giving back” is found in small, daily acts of human kindness, it is personified in the volunteers who visit nursing homes and share a little warmth and kindness with the residents.

I have the privilege to know a few of these volunteers. While they do not want recognition for themselves, they do want to let people know how satisfying it is to spend even just a little time visiting residents or helping out.

Ukiah Senior Center Executive Director, Lavonna Silveria, told me about the volunteers in the Center’s “Mendo C-Notes” singing group and the “Ditzy Line Dancers” who visit nursing homes. But she emphasized, singing and dancing is not a requirement. “The easiest way to help,” says Lavonna, “is just to go for a visit. I always have a blast. Maybe it’s because I know so many of the folks, but it warms my heart when I see the faces light up when I walk into the room. It makes their day and it makes my day.”

In Fort Bragg, Pat Tilley told me she has been volunteering at Sherwood Oaks Health Center for “as long I can remember.” She started over 20 years ago when a family friend was a resident and she was asked to read out loud to the patients. When I spoke with her, she had just returned from reading an excerpt of Letters from Yellowstone. She said, “As I was leaving, one gentleman who is usually pretty quiet, said in a low voice, “I used to work in Yellowstone.” He then told me about his memories, and I felt the world had opened up a little bit for him. It is those simple but special moments that make you feel you are doing something worthwhile.”

Nedra Daniels became involved at Sherwood Oaks when her mother was a patient. “When I was visiting my mother, I would offer to set the table or rearrange chairs. After my mother passed away, I waited for a few months and then went back as a volunteer. I really missed the people there.” Born and raised in Fort Bragg, Nedra has known many of the residents throughout her lifetime and is glad to be there for them during this time of their lives.

The Sherwood Oaks Auxiliary, which receives support from the Frederick T. Johnson Fund at the Community Foundation, is a non-profit organization that exists to help the patients at the health center. They are looking for volunteers to help with craft classes, room visits, sing-alongs, birthday parties and other events. If you are interested in finding out more, call Nedra Daniels at 964-3036. If you want to learn more about ways to volunteer in Ukiah, call Lavonna Silveria at the Ukiah Senior Center, 463-4343.

The Community Foundation looks for ways to invest in the programs and activities that provide opportunities for people of all ages to work, learn, create, contribute and prosper. If you want to find out more, visit www.communityfound.org.